Creative Care: The benefits of a healing environment
Art at the Heart is the arts programme for the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath, supporting the wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff through high-quality arts, culture and design. Through exhibitions, participatory arts, live music and creative placemaking, we engage approximately 200,000 people each year.
Who are we?
As a small but established team, we are passionate advocates for creative health and the role of the arts in improving healthcare environments and experiences.
Our Programme
Exhibitions and Collections
We manage one of Bath’s most accessible gallery spaces, presenting a year-round programme of exhibitions featuring local artists and community organisations. Alongside this, we care for a permanent collection of more than 600 artworks displayed throughout clinical and public areas of the hospital.
pARTicipate
Our participatory arts programme delivers artist-led creative workshops and residencies across children’s, older persons’ and specialist wards. Working with artists, cultural organisations and higher education partners, we provide meaningful creative opportunities that support wellbeing, reduce anxiety and enhance patient experience. The programme also offers student placement and volunteer opportunities.
Music
Through partnerships with Live Music Now, Bath Folk Club and local schools, we deliver live music across wards and communal spaces. Our Musician in Residence programme provides regular inclusive music-making opportunities for patients, visitors and staff. Current developments include innovative interactive music projects for paediatric patients in collaboration with local creative technologists and Bath Spa University.
Art and Design Commissions
We integrate art and design into capital projects and healthcare environments. Recent commissions include the award-winning art and design programme for the Dyson Cancer Centre and the refurbishment of the RUH Eye Clinic.
Future Ambitions
• Expand and enhance the hospital’s permanent and loan art collections.
• Develop a wider programme of artist and musician residencies.
• Strengthen research and evaluation through partnerships with universities and the national creative health sector.
• Steward and interpret the hospital’s medical heritage collections, including the RNHRD collection.
• Embed a percentage-for-art approach within future capital developments and environmental improvement projects.
Recognition
• 2026 – RUH Patient Experience Award: Diabetes Mural Project (Natasha Clutterbuck)
• 2025 – European Healthcare Design Awards Winner: Interior Design and the Arts, Dyson Cancer Centre
• 2024 – Creative Bath Award Winner: Creativity for Good, Dyson Cancer Centre
• 2022 – Creative Bath Award Winner and ACE Award Winner: pARTicipate
• 2022 – Building Better Healthcare Award Winner: RNHRD & Brownsword Therapies Centre
How can you help us?
Visit our Support Us page to find out how you can help.
“Worth a visit, just to see the ever changing artwork!” Patient
“Fantastic workshop, my daughter wanted to stay another night” Parent